HHOA Re-conceptualizes Annual Convention as a Series of Regional Events

First Meeting to Be Held September 21 in Phoenix, Prior to Lodging Conference

• 
  SAVE
• 
  SHARE
• 
  TEXT SIZE
• 
  PRINT
• 
  COMMENT
• 
  PDF

. August 28, 2009

PHOENIX, AZ, August 27, 2009 - Officials of the Hispanic Hotel Owners Association (HHOA), a rapidly growing non-profit organization that seeks to increase Latino ownership of hotels, today announced they it has re-concepted its annual convention into a series of regional events that will be more cost-effective and reach more interested Latino investors during the current recession.

The first regional meeting will be held in Phoenix on Monday, September 21, 2009, between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Mountain Time at the Arizona Biltmore hotel, the evening before the 2009 Lodging Conference. Cost to register is $25 for members and $30 for non-members; on-line registration is available at www.hhoa.org.

"Our members and savvy investors told us that interest in hotel investments remains high, but restrained due to the economy and a general desire to cut expenses," said Angela Gonzalez-Rowe, founder and president of the Hispanic Hotel Owners Association. "We have adapted our format accordingly and, where possible, will schedule our regional events to coincide with major hotel conventions, like the Lodging Conference. The regional meetings will give attendees an opportunity to network with the major brands, lenders, developers, management companies and other key players, as well as obtain important insights into the hotel economy and investing."

The new format in Phoenix will consist of:

6:00 p.m. Registration

6:15 p.m. Welcome and Introductions

6:30-7:45 p.m. Creating a Plan of Action: Buying, Selling, Developing and Financing a Hotel Project

7:45 - 9:00 p.m. Networking Reception

Speakers at this event will include:

• Anthony Falor, COO, Focused Services Division, Hodges Ward & Elliott;

• Patrick Feltes, SVP - Hospitality Division, GE Capital Solutions;

• Carlos Rodriguez, President, DVI Cardel and Rod Blu Investment Funds; and

• Cathleen M. Lease, Lender Relations Specialist - U.S. Small Business Administration, among others.

The following are sponsors for the event: Hilton Hotels Corporation, Wyndham Hotels, Hyatt Hotels, La Quinta, Marriott International, Choice Hotels, and Intercontinental Hotel Group.